JAMES GORDON CLARKE, age 91, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on the evening of Saturday, September 24th, 2022 with family at his side.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 66 years, Irene (Leavitt) in April 2019. He is survived by his children: Margaret, James (Kathy), Patricia, Ernest (Paulette), and Sandra. He is cherished by his grandchildren: Mike (Linnea), Jayme (Kim), Jeff, Chris (Angela), David (Danielle), Lyndsey (Marc), Lee, Robert (Jennifer), and Jillian (James), step-grandfather to Kerry (Anna) and great-grandfather to Dexter, Madison, Ajay, Oliver, Eleanor, Elisabeth, Noah, Sullivan, Zoey, Nikki, Fynn, Madeleine, and Rhys. He is also survived by his sister Gwen and brother Lester, plus numerous extended family whom he remained connected with.

James was born June 6, 1931 in Didsbury, Alberta to Annie and Ernest Clarke. After high school, he began his 40 year career with TransAlta Utilities, first as a lineman with Farm Electric Services Limited, which merged in 1954 with Calgary Power, later to be TransAlta Utilities. He married Irene on November 22, 1952. Together, they raised their family, moving to many locations within the province as his work evolved with TransAlta, engaging fully in each community. Retiring in Lethbridge in 1989, Jim and Irene continued to be active members of the TransAlta Retirees Association (TARA).

Jim and Irene cultivated lifelong friendships and created happy memories with their family and friends. Jim actively enjoyed his years of membership in the various local service clubs (Lions, Elks), and curling and golf clubs as well as being a member of volunteer fire departments. During retirement, Jim and Irene spent several winters in Yuma, Arizona and experienced many other travel highlights. 

Jim's work ethic, organizational skills, garden harvests, leather projects, keen sense of humour, and stimulating conversations were gifts of plenty. Jim was a kind, thoughtful, and honourable man. The joy of his life was his family.

The family sincerely thanks the staff at Lethbridge AgeCare Columbia (since March 2020) and the Chinook Regional Hospital for their compassionate care.

At Jim's request there will be no formal service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.